Awesome thanks!At SLE, we were told by the associate director of admissions that the full application would open up mid August or late July at the earliest. In the meantime start training for the CFA!
Only thing in hindsight DS could have done earlier to really make a difference IMHO was the CFA but he played football and wanted to wait to recover from intensive practices and many gameday dings and sprains. 1st game here is late Aug before classes start so by the time he had access to gym teacher etc for CFA he was 2-3 games into the season. He waited til late Oct for CFA; due to that I think he didn't get DoDMERB invite until Nov and we had to scramble a bit around holidays for exams [and then needless remedial aggravation.]
I think that DoDMERB timing is the #1 reason to get stuff in early, especially CFA if you can. Not enough new applicants grasp how much time the red tape of DoDMERB can eat up even if you have a relatively clear history.
My DD's experience was a bit different. Her DODMERB invite showed up shortly after she completed her essays but she had not done the CFA. Maybe there is a percentage of the application that has to be done before they offer?
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My point to OP is that getting to DoDMERB as early as possible is the objective; the rest of the application process may play out the same regardless of how early you complete things. It is DodMERB that can eat up endless time and is completely beyond your control - admissions rep drilled this point home above all others in context of 11th hour waivers etc.
Agreed. I encouraged her to get done as early as possible. I wanted her to have her essays done before she went for her overnight visit but it turned out to be good that she did not. She used her experience there to inform her "Why West Point" essay and I think it made her a better candidate.I'm sure it is related to the ongoing WCS process and how 'interested' they are in various candidates. Not knocking your DD's qualifications but there is an emphasis on recruiting more females and minorities as example so certain candidates may get earlier stagegates to proceed. Some get LOAs, some don't, no obvious correlation to success after appointment.
My point to OP is that getting to DoDMERB as early as possible is the objective; the rest of the application process may play out the same regardless of how early you complete things. It is DodMERB that can eat up endless time and is completely beyond your control - admissions rep drilled this point home above all others in context of 11th hour waivers etc.